Permanent makeup for brows: the honest step-by-step guide

Techniques we work with

• Powder / ombré brows — a soft shaded finish, similar to brow powder. The most durable and the kindest to most skin types.
• Hair strokes — individual drawn hairs for a natural look; best on normal to dry skin.
• Combination — strokes at the head, shading through the body and tail.

Before your appointment

• No alcohol, coffee or blood thinners for 24 hours.
• No retinol, acids or peels on the forehead for a week.
• Come with your usual brow shape drawn, if you have one — it helps mapping.
• Avoid sunbathing right before the session.

The session itself

Mapping and pigment selection often take as long as the pigmentation itself, and that is intentional — shape and colour are decided while you still have a say. Topical anaesthetic is applied, so most clients describe the sensation as scratching rather than pain. Plan for two to three hours.

Healing day by day

• Days 1–2: colour looks bold and dark, slight swelling is normal.
• Days 3–6: crusting and flaking — do not pick.
• Days 7–12: colour looks too light. This is the 'ghost' stage and it passes.
• Weeks 3–5: the true tone comes back.
• Week 6–8: touch-up appointment to perfect density and shape.

How long it lasts and who cannot do it

Expect one to two years, depending on skin type, sun exposure and skincare. Oily skin fades faster. PMU is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, on uncontrolled diabetes, with keloid tendency, active skin conditions in the area, or within a month of a chemical peel.